Procurement

San Francisco's New Fire Engines Can Handle Hills

The San Francisco (Calif.) Fire Department will purchase eight custom fire engines to better navigate through the city's narrow streets and changing traffic conditions, according to the San Francisco Examiner..

San Francisco's fire engines are larger than other cities because they need enough horsepower to travel up steep hills. These vehicles also carry up to 500 gallons of water to combat fast-spreading fires. The new fire engines are expected to have smaller bumpers, recessed handles, and larger windshields.

These new vehicles are part of the city's two-year plan to invest $14.3 million in the department to replace its aging fleet, including 13 fire engines, four aerial ladder trucks, and eight ambulances, as announced by Mayor Edwin Lee last May.